Island Voices Unite at Isla Mujeres Encounter in El Hierro

The Asabanos Cultural Center in Valverde, El Hierro, recently hosted the Isla Mujeres Encounter. This event, part of the Insularia-Islands of the World Network Festival, brings together island communities through film and shared experiences.

This year, Chilean actress Gio Smirack, originally from the Calbuco archipelago, joined Cris Vivó from CIMA Canarias and filmmaker Claudia Barthelemy from CIMA Baleares for a discussion. Carla Valdés, the festival's programmer, led the conversation.

Smirack presented her film "Bivalva," which tells the stories of women working in seafood factories in the Chiloé archipelago. She said it was a "wonderful opportunity" to represent her island and its people, highlighting important local issues. She also noted the "fine threads" connecting islands and women, and expressed her desire to learn from other island filmmakers about how they create and sustain their projects.

Smirack believes that creating art on an island means dealing with isolation but also gaining a unique perspective. "Being far from the big cities forces you to be different," she explained. "Even though we're remote, our stories are universal because we share the same problems. Speaking from an island is speaking to the world, but with a different light and rhythm."

She emphasized that this "rhythm" is shaped by the land itself. "Chiloé's climate, sea, and solitude influence life and art," she said. "You learn to live with nature, the tides, and the seasons. We create in winter and bring those ideas to life in spring. Living in Chiloé means creating with what the island provides."

In "Bivalva," Smirack portrays one of the women who have worked in the seafood factories for decades. "We wanted to tell their story because these women have supported their community," she said. "It's about valuing their sacrifices and highlighting that, even today, there's still abuse of power and inequality in the workplace."

However, being an artist from a remote area has its challenges. Smirack explained that they often compete with larger production companies for funding. "There are regional funds, but they don't always reach the people who need them most," she said. "It's hard to maintain equality or build large teams in small places. But we do things our way, with authentic stories, and that gives us strength."

Smirack also discussed equality in the film industry, acknowledging progress but noting that there's still a long way to go.

When asked about the spirit of Insularia, she said, "It inspires me with its rebelliousness. I love that it connects islands around the world through cinema. Everything usually happens in the capitals, so these spaces are essential. If we islanders don't create our own place, no one else will."

In closing, she shared a message for the people of El Hierro: "I hope 'Bivalva' has left you with reflection, hope, and empathy. May you feel a bit of the cold from the south, but also the warmth and rebelliousness of our women. I'm grateful to Insularia for this invitation and encourage you to participate in its activities. It's vital to value the work that comes from the islands."